Watch Common and BJ the Chicago Kid's Powerful Performance of "Black America Again" on 'The Tonight Show'

Common enlists BJ the Chicago Kid, the Roots, and a string quartet for his powerful performance of "Black America Again" on 'The Tonight Show.'

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Complex Original

Image via Complex Original

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Common stopped by the The Tonight Show to perform his new track, "Black America Again." The song offers a harsh look at the reality of police brutality, mass incarceration of black men, and social unrest and Common brings the powerful words to life with a little help from BJ the Chicago Kid, who handles Stevie Wonder's vocal hook, house band The Roots, and a string quartet.

Previously, Common premiered the incredibly impactful video for the song over on Complex that also features Stevie Wonder on the keys, Esperanza Spalding on bass, scratches by J Rock, strings by Patrick Warren and ad-libs from Chuck D and MC Lyte. If you haven't seen it yet, the visual opens up with raw footage of the fatal police shooting of Alton Sterling. That image sets the tone for the rest of the video that shows close ups of grieving black individuals with real footage of Black American history. 

The song is the title track off Common's forthcoming album which is set to drop next month and feature guests John Legend, Anderson .Paak, The Internet, Jay Electronica, and more. We've already heard three of the tracks, which he debuted at his Tiny Desk Concert performance at the White House.

Watch Common's performance above and look for his highly anticipated new album, Black America Again, to arrive Nov. 4. You can also see what Common had to tell Complex about upcoming album, his feelings on Chicago MCs Chance the Rapper and Vic Mensa, and more by watching that conversation right here

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